A Canadian Celiac Podcast

What does it mean to truly thrive with celiac disease? Join host Caleigh McAulay, RD, and special guest "Celiac" Sue Newell for an inspiring conversation about empowerment, advocacy, and navigating life beyond diagnosis.

Together, they explore how knowledge, confidence, and community can transform the celiac journey—from understanding the condition and navigating a gluten-free lifestyle to advocating for your health and finding strength in shared experiences.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, a longtime member of the celiac community, or supporting someone living with celiac disease, this episode offers encouragement, practical insights, and a reminder that you don't have to navigate it alone.

Tune in to A Canadian Celiac Podcast and discover how to move beyond simply managing celiac disease toward living with confidence, connection, and empowerment.

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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Living gluten free isn't just a dietary choice for people with celiac disease, it's a medical necessity. But what happens when the high cost of gluten-free food puts safe meals out of reach?

In Episode 368 of A Canadian Celiac Podcast, host Melissa Secord, National Executive Director of Celiac Canada, explores the growing issue of food insecurity within the celiac community. Joining her are Dr. Diana Mager, researcher and professor at the University of Alberta, Julie LeJeune, former Executive Director of the Fort York Food Bank, and Chelsea Lukawy from Celiac Canada's Manitoba Chapter.

Together, they discuss the unique challenges faced by Canadians living with celiac disease, the barriers to accessing affordable gluten-free food, emerging research on food insecurity, and opportunities for community action and support. This important conversation shines a light on the intersection of health, affordability, and access to safe food.

Tune in to learn how researchers, advocates, and community leaders are working to address food insecurity and support Canadians living with celiac disease.

Please take the time to participate in or share Dr. Diana Mager's current research surveys:

Food Banks and Food Insecurity in families with children with Celiac Disease: Food Banks Survey

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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Join host Caleigh McAulay and special guest Nicole Byrom as they share practical tips for staying safe at holiday gatherings while living with celiac disease. From avoiding cross-contact to communicating your needs, they also discuss how friends, family, and hosts can be supportive allies and help create a more inclusive holiday season.

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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In Episode 366 of A Canadian Celiac Podcast, Melissa Secord, National Executive Director of Celiac Canada, speaks with two inspiring Canadian Olympians who have navigated the challenges of elite sport while living with celiac disease.

Christine Nesbitt, Olympic gold medal-winning speed skater, and Jacqueline Simoneau, Olympic artistic swimmer and Team Canada athlete, share their personal experiences with celiac disease and how a strict gluten-free lifestyle became an essential part of their athletic success.

Melissa explores the unique challenges of training, travelling, and competing internationally while managing celiac disease. Christine and Jacqueline discuss their diagnoses, the impact of nutrition on performance, and the strategies they have used to stay healthy and focused while pursuing excellence on the world stage.

Their stories highlight the importance of resilience, self-advocacy, and support while demonstrating that a celiac disease diagnosis does not have to limit personal or athletic achievement.

Follow Chrisitne and Jacqueline: Christine @cnezzy

Jacqueline @jacqueline_simoneau

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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For 26 years, the J.A. Campbell Research Fund has supported groundbreaking research that advances our understanding of celiac disease and improves the lives of those living with it. Named in honour of Dr. James A. Campbell, a pioneer in nutrition science and a champion for Canada's gluten-free community, the fund continues to drive innovation through the next generation of researchers.

In this episode, host Caleigh McAulay speaks with the recipients of the 2026 J.A. Campbell Research Awards. Together, they explore promising new research on blood-based diagnostics for celiac disease, the impact of food insecurity on gluten-free diet adherence, mental health, and health outcomes among children, youth, and adolescents living with celiac disease.

Join us as we celebrate Dr. Campbell's legacy and discover how today's researchers are shaping the future of celiac disease care.

What You'll Learn

• How a simple blood test using IL-2 could transform celiac disease diagnosis
• Why food insecurity is an important but often overlooked challenge for people with celiac disease
• The impact of food insecurity on mental health and gluten-free diet adherence among adolescents
• How food insecurity affects children and youth living with both celiac disease and type 1 diabetes
• How the J.A. Campbell Research Fund is supporting the next generation of celiac disease researchers
• Why investing in research is critical to improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for the celiac community

Learn more about J.A. Campbell Awards: Research Awards -Celiac Canada - Medical Funding

Help fund research: Together let's find a cure.

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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What is it really like to be a man living with celiac disease? In this episode of A Canadian Celiac Podcast, Spencer Sandor, a member of Celiac Canada's Advocacy Committee, shares his personal experiences with diagnosis, adaptation, and life on a strict gluten-free diet.

Joining the conversation is Alyssa Ramuscak, Research Analyst at Celiac Canada, who highlights findings from the State of Celiac survey and discusses what the data tells us about the realities Canadians face every day. This thought-provoking discussion combines research and lived experience to shed light on men's health, community support, and the ongoing challenges of living with celiac disease.

What You'll Learn

• Key findings from Celiac Canada's State of Celiac survey.
• How celiac disease impacts men's health and daily life.
• Spencer Sandor's personal experience living with celiac disease.
• The importance of research, awareness, and community support.
• How data and lived experience can help shape a better future for Canadians with celiac disease.

Read the State of Celiac: State of Celiac - Celiac Canada

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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Heading off to university is an exciting milestone, but for students living with celiac disease, it can also bring unique challenges. From dining halls and shared kitchens to residence life and managing independence, maintaining a strict gluten-free lifestyle on campus requires planning and confidence.

In this episode, Sue welcomes Anna Cowan, a university student living with celiac disease, and Manisha Kothary, whose daughter has just completed her first year of university. Together, they share practical tips, personal experiences, and valuable lessons learned about navigating campus life safely while staying gluten-free.

Whether you're a student preparing for your first semester, a parent helping your child transition to university, or someone looking for strategies to manage celiac disease away from home, this conversation offers encouragement, insight, and plenty of real-world advice.

What you'll learn:

• How to prepare for residence and campus dining
• Communicating gluten-free needs to university staff and roommates
• Tips for staying safe in shared kitchens and social situations
• The realities of managing celiac disease independently
• Advice for both students and parents during the transition to university life

Join us for an informative and reassuring discussion as we explore how students with celiac disease can thrive at university. Download our back to school guides: Back to School - Celiac Canada

To learn more about Celiac Canada, visit www.celiac.ca.

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In this special episode of A Canadian Celiac Podcast, producer and editor Leah Vlasic steps in as guest host alongside Melissa Secord to explore two incredible events that brought the celiac community together this July.

Melissa visits Davis Family Farm to learn more about the Sunflower Festival and Celiac Canada's second annual Day of Smiles, while Leah heads west to chat with a representative from the Calgary Chapter about Calgary's largest gluten-free Stampede Breakfast, which welcomed more than 1,000 attendees and was powered by over 80 dedicated volunteers.

Throughout this episode, you'll hear inspiring stories of passion, community, and the volunteers who work tirelessly to create safe, welcoming spaces for people living with celiac disease. Tune in to discover the impact of these events, the importance of connection, and how you can get involved with Celiac Canada in your own community.

Celiac disease research is moving forward, but what do the latest findings actually mean for people living with the disease?

This week, Health Promotions Manager Caleigh McAulay welcomes Alyssa Ramuscak, Research Analyst at Celiac Canada, for a look at some of the newest and most promising developments in celiac research. They discuss key findings, emerging trends, and the questions researchers are working to answer next.

Join us for an accessible and informative conversation that translates complex research into real-world insights for the gluten-free community.

In this episode of A Canadian Celiac Podcast, Melissa Secord speaks with Doris Foster, Chair of the Celiac Canada Board of Directors.

Doris shares her personal journey with celiac disease, her career in healthcare, and insights into the power of advocacy, research, and community. Together, they discuss key milestones, ongoing challenges, and how Celiac Canada is working to Find, Treat, and Cure celiac disease.

A thoughtful conversation on leadership, progress, and the impact of a strong, connected community.